Suzuki SV1000

[69Norton]

Hi - am looking at upgrading (in ccs) from the Norty to a late model SV1000.

Ive trolled the internet looking at the pros and cons of this bike, however the only cons appear to be:

1 - below standard braking.
2 - slightly thirsty.

Is there anything else ? I d love to hear from other SV owners as the CC size, reliability, looks and most importantly SOUND :msn-wink:all appeal to me.

ta
Paul
Whangaparaoa

[SuperSonic]

Hi - am looking at upgrading (in ccs) from the Norty to a late model SV1000.

Ive trolled the internet looking at the pros and cons of this bike, however the only cons appear to be:

1 - below standard braking.
2 - slightly thirsty.

Is there anything else ? I d love to hear from other SV owners as the CC size, reliability, looks and most importantly SOUND :msn-wink:all appeal to me.

ta
Paul
Whangaparaoa

Hey paul,

Brakes are not that bad, better than the VTR anyway., Nothing some new pads and/or braided brake lines will fix.
Thirsty well only if ya keep twisting the right hand to hear the wicked sound from those pipes:yes:.
The best I have got is 4.5l/100km the worst is round 7l/100km(trackdays normally), I average 5l/100km, I think this is not excessive in my books.
Anyway I think the sv is up their of the best bike suited to NZ, with all its torque to get out of corners and passing the cars. Plus a load of power up high in the rev to really get ya moving along. Has a wicked sound, (better than the VTR) great lights, good suspension for price anyway, and you can get alot of bling on the net if ya like for ya bike.:Punk:

Mate these bikes ROCK really get one!:yes:

[HenryDorsetCase]

A mate of mine has got one in his garage that he has not ridden since he got his R1. Its an 04, the copper coloured one, bog stock, one owner, 15000ks and Yoshi slipons. New tyres and parked because he NEEDS MOAR POWER. Its in pretty good condition if I recall. I can ask him if he is serious about selling it you like.

Ive ridden it (when I had an SV650) and liked it.

If you were concerned about the brakes, braided lines and new fluid would take care of most of your issues. It could probably do with new fork oil as well. Or a rebuild from CKT and an Ohlins shock if you wanted to spend the money.

[Ixion]

Hm. I have an SV1000 , and a BSA Thunderbolt (reasonably comparable to a Mercury). In comparison : obviously the SV has a shitload more power. That's nice sometimes, but it's a two edged sword, you have to be a LOT more focused riding it. Brakes are excellent compared to TLS 8inch drum. But, of course, you potentially a re going to be stopping from a speed more than twice as fast. (So a query is, do you want to actually RIDE a lot faster than on the Norton - which can certainly well and truely exceed the speed limit).

The SV is a LOT harder to work on, because of all the electronics and stuff. And accessibility. Not so good.

Handling - the SV has much better road holding , but handling is not as good as the BSA - ie you can go through the corners faster but it doesn't feel as sure footed - compared to the Noron's RoadHolders that will be even more so.

Relaibility - well, obviously going to be better than a 40 year old Brit (not that the beezer is bad). But, if it does crap out , you are probably not going to get it going by the roadside. The biggest reliability thing is the infamous green connector. Single connector in the electrics which craps out regularly and disables everything. Other bugbear is the clutch slave cylinder which also dies. And at the moment my rear brake master cylinder has gone AWOL, dunno why.

Overall, SV is a good bike. If I had to choose one one of them to keep, it's be the BSA , though.

My biggest hangup with the SV is that I like a bike to be versatile - commute, weekend rides, touring , shopping. Some bikes do that multitasking well, the SV, not so well. Not as bad as some, but ultimately , it really one does one thing, which is go seriously fast. This may not matter to you.

Thirsty - more so than the BSA, but not too bad by modern standards. I usually average around 16 kpl around 45 mpg. Not good by Brit standards, but as good as a modern litre bike is going to get.

[69Norton]

yes please - love that Copper colour - cheers Paul


A mate of mine has got one in his garage that he has not ridden since he got his R1. Its an 04, the copper coloured one, bog stock, one owner, 15000ks and Yoshi slipons. New tyres and parked because he NEEDS MOAR POWER. Its in pretty good condition if I recall. I can ask him if he is serious about selling it you like.

Ive ridden it (when I had an SV650) and liked it.

If you were concerned about the brakes, braided lines and new fluid would take care of most of your issues. It could probably do with new fork oil as well. Or a rebuild from CKT and an Ohlins shock if you wanted to spend the money.

[stanleychung]

Ixion spot on. I would add to it that if you were looking at the earlier "Silver frame" onesn is to have a sit on one to see if seat height is a problem. I ride with a friend of mine who owns one and he is not tall of stature and would have preferred it if the bike was a bit lower to give him feet that sit flat to the ground confidence. But other positives led him to decide to buy it anyway.

If you are fortunate to find one with slip on Yoshis, they do make an absolutely orgasmic noise. Best of luck with your shopping.

[crazyhorse]

I doubt the SV1000 would be any more thirstier that any other 10000

The brakes are fine. But you could jump on ten different bikes, and their brakes would all differ.

Suggest you take one for a test ride and make your own opinion from that.

I had a 650, and thoroughly loved it. They are wonderful bikes :niceone:

[SuperSonic]

A mate of mine has got one in his garage that he has not ridden since he got his R1. Its an 04, the copper coloured one, bog stock, one owner, 15000ks and Yoshi slipons. New tyres and parked because he NEEDS MOAR POWER. Its in pretty good condition if I recall. I can ask him if he is serious about selling it you like.

Ive ridden it (when I had an SV650) and liked it.

If you were concerned about the brakes, braided lines and new fluid would take care of most of your issues. It could probably do with new fork oil as well. Or a rebuild from CKT and an Ohlins shock if you wanted to spend the money.

Mate that sounds a minter bike at the right price. I too like the cooper colour. Not sure why!

X2 for the rest of these comments.

[imdying]

1 - below standard braking.Braking is excellent. The bike is light, the calipers are the same 4 piston Toikco calipers from the GSXR750, the discs are 310mm diameter, the front tyre is a 17" one and comes in a variety of sporting compounds... basically, that all adds up to some excellent braking potential. I'd go as far to say as they're all the brake you'll ever need on a road bike. One thing they're not is below standard.

[Pumba]

As everyone else said the brakes are fine. I only got brake fade once with mine and that was at a track day at at taupo, but in saying that the always stopped me.

As far as fuel consumptions go's they are no worse than any other litre bike on the market. If you twist the throtle and make the bike work hard it will chew through the gas but show me bike that doesnt. Open road cruising normally got 220km before the reserve light came on.

[boman]

As everyone else said the brakes are fine. I only got brake fade once with mine and that was at a track day at at taupo, but in saying that the always stopped me.

As far as fuel consumptions go's they are no worse than any other litre bike on the market. If you twist the throtle and make the bike work hard it will chew through the gas but show me bike that doesnt. Open road cruising normally got 220km before the reserve light came on.

+2 for this

Went from Bombay BP to Tauramanui Mobil, 240 km at a decent pace, had about 2litres left before bone dry. I didn't think that was thirsty. I fitted Braided lines to mine, made the brakes alot better than stock, just now I have changed the pads for some with a bit more bite. They work good too. Do a damn fine job of stopping the bike I think.

[banditrider]

My old man has a black '07 model with just over 15k on it. Two sets of mufflers, heat grips, new pilot powers and a home made oiler. Very nice bike. PM me if you're interested at all.

190277190279

Trademe listing: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-265017420.htm

[fatheroftheaccused]

I have a Ducati 916sps and an sv1000sk8, while there can be little to compare in handling and braking, the sv shines as an everyday bike and is great fun, fuel economy is about the same as the 916, most I have ever pushed it was 190k on a tank full , fuel light flashes at 160-170 k, have fitted a power commander/air filter and scorpion pipes, dynod at 113 at rear wheel, not bad for a $9000 bike, good rubber is essential. Best bang for your buck.

[Pussy]

IMHO, the SV1000 is an excellent bike... and can be made a GREAT bike with a bit of money chucked at the suspension.
And the point made above about lights is VERY valid... the SV1000 has awesome headlights... a lot better than most

[geoffm]

Most of my comments have been said by others already.
I hated the stock SV bars - the angle made my wrists ache. $350 for a new set of bars from F1 in Hamilton was money very well spent.
The suspension is adjustable in theory, but basic in practice. The front is soft on the initial travel and the back is softly sprung as well - but good enough for most people and conditions. It is noticable in bumpy roads and under brakes, but both of these are an easy fix for around $1k-ish and the SV is cheap enough to have some dollars left over to do it. It is on my list to di this year.
Mine hits reserve around 160km - or aroudn 12km/l - others seem to get better economy.
Seat is firm - some complain but I have done 600km days without a problem.
I put a scottoiler on - always worthwhile.
Geoff

[dipshit]

The front is soft on the initial travel and the back is softly sprung as well

That depends on the weigh of the rider though.

i.e... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PK1NmJPoFY

[Fatjim]

If you wiegh under 100kgs wet, and you are not interested in hitting 240kph, then get the SV650. Its a much better bike, just lacks the top end.

And Ixion, it says a lot when you say that the only thing the SV1000 does well is "go seriously fast". I would have said the complete opposite. It is designed, and hits the sport touring market well. A good commuter bike ,except for the millage, a reasonable tourer if you find the riding poition comfortable, weekend? fine. But go seriously fast? Every other 1000 of its generation was better at that. The brakes, suspension, chassis, and motor are all pretty average, the engine a good average mind

I'm tempted to think your are comparing it to the BSA, but your sentence seems to stand alone.

[marty]

I had a well sorted TL1000 (both ends of suspension = Ohlins, full Yoshi kit etc). Test rode SV's but settled on the TL. It was fast - not seriously fast though. I then had the Hayabusa at the same time I had the TL. I rode the TL occasionally to keep the battery charged. Found myself at full throttle all the time - wondering where my extra 50hp had gone :)

Wish I still had the TL though....

[Berries]

he only cons appear to be:

1 - below standard braking.
2 - slightly thirsty.

Is there anything else ?

No character or soul. Nearly all my previous bikes had something, I don't know how to describe it. Traded a CBR 600FX for an SV1000S in late 05 and it still hasn't grown on me. Brakes are fine, no complaints there apart from new discs at 30k which shouldn't happen. It's a long bike so handling is a bit lardy compared to the CBR, you can't throw it in to corners like a smaller bike. The SV engine in the CBR chassis would be great to try. It can certainly shift when you want it to and you don't have to dance around with the gear lever, but for me there is something missing. Although used nearly every day it gets parked in the garage and I walk away from it without a second glance. It shouldn't be like that.

I'd disagree with Ixion, I think the SV is a perfect bike for multi-tasking. I commute 15km each way every day, it does the job. Do the odd trip over to Qtown or Invervegas and again, it does the job. Back of my legs are a bit sore after a couple of hours but then they all do that to me so that's not a complaint. I get about 15km/litre in commuter mode, less than that obviously if I am being a twat.

Apart from the front discs and a leaking clutch cover fixed under warranty I have had no reliabilty problems. I can't say it's a bad bike, but to me it's just a bike. I bought it on a cc per $$ basis as they were much cheaper than the GSXR 750 I had always hankered after. In the back of my mind I knew I would kill myself on the Gixer so luckily Suzuki have turned them all ugly over the last few years. I do find it is way too easy to go too fast on it. I was going to trade it for a Street Triple when they came out, more fun at lower speeds etc, but then I got married and suddenly found I couldn't even afford my daily ration of beer and fags, let alone a new bike.

[retro asian]

My friend has a nice black naked SV1000 which he keeps saying he wants to sell...not sure how serious he is, but let me know if you're interested.

[Elysium]

Now now what's all this anti VTR talk I see here? :nono: At least the VTR is aestheticly appealing then the SV ;)

[imdying]

No character or soul. Nearly all my previous bikes had something, I don't know how to describe it.Don't necessarily disagree, but the solution is quite easy. 1 down on the front, 2 up on the back, fit a set of aftermarket GSXR solid peg rearsets, a 1/6th turn throttle, and a set of loud mufflers. Lovely personality adjustment and cheap as you like :yes:

[Berries]

And Santa has only just been............

[imdying]

And Santa has only just been............Never fear, the sprockets are cheap, you'll get a front for under $40... the 1/16th throttle is free if you modify your stock one, your pipes can be modified for free, but you'd be better off with lighter aftermarket ones so you can go to the stock ones for a warrant. Only place you really need to spend is the rearsets... but they're worth it... the SV is such a nice bike, the solid pegs give the bike a 'nastier' feel.

[Berries]

It's a K3 and I've had it for longer than any other bike so it's about time to trade it anyway.


Is there anything else ?

How tall are you ? I'm 6' 1 and a bit and on longer high speed trips I do suffer from the noddies occasionally. The blast over the screen hits me right in the visor. My current helmet has a spoiler on the back and although it looks gay I like to think it improves the air flow. An aftermarket screen might be an idea, not sure what other lanky streaks of piss think.

[98tls]

Now now what's all this anti VTR talk I see here? :nono: At least the VTR is aestheticly appealing then the SV ;) :laugh:Yea right,as good a bike as the VTR is its just plain fugly.SVs,TLs,VTR etc are all good bikes and like every other bike the only degree of seperation between them is the riders ability,simple really.As i get older and see the steadily growing ranges of motorcycles growing i sometimes wonder if my old ticker can stand anymore mirth,theres bikes for this and bikes for that jesus theres bikes built even for the bits in between this and that and according to those that compile the evidence you just have to have one of them/all of them/anyone will do just have something so that the sellers of such things will continue to advertise in our magazine,not so bad i guess,least its something to muse whilst on the shitter.

[sugilite]

I did ride a SV1000 in the Paraparas once. It did seem a little souless (since addressed by I'm dying) and it seemed to be a bit top heavy in the handling department, though this could be down to the tyres/tyre wear it was running. Anyways, the bike did not make me yearn to own one.